Let's move to ...

Bolton's booming - two words not often put together. But, says the cabal of property seers, this week it's Bolton's turn to be Britain's Biggest Property Bargain! Prices have zoomed more than 130% in five years. What's its secret? Is it the Peter Kay factor? It would take a stalker of monumental obsession to trade just another post-industrial mill town for a glimpse of their star. No, it's our old friend, the Ain't Nowhere Vaguely Nice And Even Remotely Affordable Left factor. Priced out of la-di-da Manchester, people are discovering the charms of the friendly locals, the good schools, the proper market, the towering town hall, the well priced and rather nice in parts property, and not forgetting the steam museum. Money's pouring in somewhere, because Churchgate's got lovely new stone setts, and a cultural quarter (ooh, get her) is promised.

The case against Well, it's Bolton, isn't it? Not exactly Xanadu. Wet: on the damp side of the Pennines. Among the poorer of Britain's towns: all that new investment's not half needed. That said, I'd take it over Rhyl any day.

Well connected?

Rail: 20 minutes/every five to 10 minutes to Manchester. Cradled by the M60 and M61.

It's not hard to find posh, leafy districts. Lostock and, farther in, Heaton set the tone, with good Victorian and Edwardian semis and villas giving way towards the M61 to large detacheds with huge grounds. You'll find the odd farmhouse, cottage or former village-turned-conservation-area such as Barrow Bridge of Harwood swallowed up in the sprawl. Bolton mills that are slowly being lofti-fied.

Sophie Chadwick "Bolton feels much bigger than it is. There's, what, 200,000 people here? But I reckon we could take on Manchester. We've got 200 years of nonconformist belligerence, with a sense of humour, of course - Peter Kay is the town personified: how long before they put up a statue? Plus a great university, a nightlife to rival New York's, and the mighty Octagon theatre. And more front than Blackpool."

James Foulds "The rather wonderfully named Bolton Gathering of Organic Growers has been going for 20 years and keeps the town supplied in veg with thriving allotments and food co-ops."

· Share your knowledge of your area - its highs and lows, up-and-coming streets or neighbourhoods, good schools, shops, places to hang out and tips for newcomers. We're currently looking for the lowdown on Darlington, Tenterden and Wrexham, but feel free to write to us wherever you live: Let's Move, Guardian Weekend, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER. Or email us at lets.move@theguardian.com.